Beneath the Far Oasis, the Maggot Lair is distinct from other underground dungeons throughout the game.

Unlike tombs, prisons, or other man-made structures, the maggot lair is, obviously, dug by the Sand Worms and other maggot-like creatures. As a result, the passages are very narrow. Aside from a few small rooms, the passages throughout the lair are long, winding, and only wide enough for one monster to move through at a time. Depending on how a character fights, this can either be a boon or a burden.

Because space is so limited, nearly every monster will have to attack one at a time in a single file line. Sorceress and Amazon abilities that have area-effect damage or can strike multiple targets will be easier to use. On the other hand, summons and hirelings have a much harder time travelling through the lair than in wider dungeons as there is no simple way to direct them through the maze. Necromancers who specialize in summons will have to frequently respawn all of their summons in order to keep them on the front line and not lost around a corner.

On the third level, the SuperUnique boss Coldworm the Burrower protects a chest that holds the Staff of Kings, one of the Quest Items for The Horadric Staff. This boss is also somewhat unique in that it is completely immobilized in the center of the room, half burrowed in the ground. Prepare to fight many targets at once as Coldworm is surrounded by a number of other Sand Worms who are all laying eggs.

Obviously, since it's made by Sand Worms, there is no waypoint on either of the three levels of the dungeon.